The Shorthand Job opens on February 18th, 2022! In this show, Callie and Omar are a successful, middle-aged couple that have been married for years. Only, they haven’t been merry in years. For the record, they used to be quite happy but somewhere along the line, they stopped listening to their better voices. Therapy and counseling proved ineffective. Desperate, they decide they have no choice but to open up their marriage to someone who may be just their type. But of course, they aren’t married to the idea.
We reached out to Delina with a few questions about her and her experience working on this production.
1. What’s the best relationship advice you’ve ever been given or that you would like to give?
Don't just hear your partner...listen. Love them the way they need to be loved. Not how you think they need to be loved. Meet them where they are and be patient.
2. What's your favorite line in your show? Why?
"There's nothing like a well-hung jury,"--C'mon...this joke wrote itself!
3. Have you ever been in a situation where you misjudged what was happening? What was the result?
I worked for LaZoom for a time. Great memories and LOTS of weird situations. My favorite weirdest was after a tour, a very drunk man and his wife came up. He wanted a picture with me. This was very normal, it happened every tour and I was happy to oblige. Things started going downhill as he put his arm around me, looked down at my chest and yelled, "DAMN! LOOK AT DEM TITTIES!". My character, Earlene Hooch, had no problems with this and simply commented that they had minds of their own. At this point, he said he wanted a kiss. Again, I got this a LOT. And it was in the before times of COVID and had zero problems giving someone a peck on the cheek. Oh no. He wanted a KISSSSS. He grabbed me bent me backwards and lip locked me. Well, I (Earlene) wrestled away from him. And casually said, "Well, that will cost you a BIG tip buddy! Earlene don't do shit like that for free." So, he dropped a $100 bill in my tip boot. I was robbed! I guarantee my kiss is worth much more than that!
4. What’s the weirdest experience you’ve ever had at work?
I worked at Fastsigns on Patton for a time. One day as we are all standing behind the counter, a gentleman came in and cried, "WHOO! I WOKE UP WITH JESUS IN ME!!". One of my co-workers said, "Well, let him out!!!"
5. How did you get into theatre?
My first 'gig' was in elementary school. I played the North Wind in "Martin and the North Wind". No lines. Just blew. But I really got the bug when I performed in the musical "Sweet Charity" in high school. I played Helene. Supporting role. From then on, I was hooked.
6. Do you have any upcoming projects that we should check out?
Nothing following this at the moment, but am starting to look now.
Biography
I've been onstage for many years. Since moving to Asheville, I have been in numerous productions at ACT, The Magnetic Theatre (glad to be back), NC Stage, and SART. For 5 glorious years, I was also a lead tour guide on the LaZoom Comedy tours. Many thanks to my parents for putting up with my theatre shenanigans over the years, my love and soulmate, Sarah Spooner (congrats for being a theatre widow now that theatre is open again). And most importantly, my mentor and friend, Marilyn duBrisk. She taught me all that I know and taught me that character acting is definitely in my nature.
The Shorthand Job runs February 18-20, 2022 at The Magnetic Theatre in Asheville, NC. Grab your tickets here: https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?show=132898